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Monday, December 9, 2013

Full Speed Ahead

This week is my first official week of half marathon training. The plan is 4 miles three days a week, a long run on the weekends, and some core training and intense stretching on the off days. It's basically the unofficial plan I followed that led to my half PR, and I like having the freedom to treat those 4-milers as recovery/tempo/speedwork as needed.

I want to keep myself from getting burned out; I want to enjoy this training cycle and feel strong at my race.

Which race? Why, this one these three of course!

I posted a couple weeks ago that I wanted to do this challenge. My Hanukkah gift from my parents was the opportunity to do so. Race entries are amazing gifts for the runner in your life!

Anyway, the half is in January and it will be my last big race before Ragnar. I have about 7 weeks to train, and given that I'm not starting from scratch, I'm feeling confident in my ability to be smart and effective this time around.

I have a pretty nice race schedule arranged for the next few months:

My only concern is the Paradise Coast Half, which is literally two weeks after Ragnar. But it falls on the Sunday after my birthday and is super close to us; I feel like it'd be a great way to celebrate my birthday!

(As I was writing this, I forgot how old I was. That was a scary 10 seconds.)

Also on my radar is New Years. I have only ever kept resolutions when I thought about them well ahead of time, planned them out, and related them to running. That's how this whole "hobby" of mine even got started! I'm playing with a few key goals this year; I'm trying to keep it simpler than last year.

Not that this year's resolutions weren't successful...but my goals for next year are going to take a considerable amount of commitment, and I think the simpler I keep them, the more likely I'll be to succeed.

But that's another post altogether!

What does the rest of your race season look like?What is your favorite distance right now? I'm rediscovering my love of the 5k, but I'm excited to train for some longer races!Have you begun to think ahead to 2014?Have you ever kept a New Years resolution?

I think my legs are 2.7, 7 and change, and 4ish. (The middle one got changed a little so I'm not sure what it is now.) I'm so excited to do it, but also super nervous!! I just hope it's cool out during my mid-day leg.

How exciting that you have FIVE races coming up! I've been thinking about scheduling in a couple of 5Ks or 10Ks soon-ish but I can't seem to pull the trigger. I'm learning that I'm not a big fan of organized races. I like doing my own thing a lot.

I had a similar bday experience recently. I told someone I was 26 and Adam had to politely remind me that I'm 27. Not sure when that happened! :)

What is it about organized races that you don't like? It's interesting because so many runners live for the camaraderie and atmosphere of the races! I think the more you race, the more used to it you get and the more you like it :o) We should totally try to run one together!

When I first started running I really liked organized races. I was constantly on the search for a new 5K to do. Then one day during half marathon training I started thinking about what I like most about running and it's really those moments where I'm alone and cruising. I must be really anti-social deep down :) I definitely want to meet up at a race with you though!